U.S. patent number 4,088,326 [Application Number 05/715,049] was granted by the patent office on 1978-05-09 for knee holder for golfers.
Invention is credited to John M. Bifulco.
United States Patent |
4,088,326 |
Bifulco |
May 9, 1978 |
Knee holder for golfers
Abstract
A golf practice device for holding the golfer's knees in proper
relationship throughout his swing of the golf club. The device
includes two rigid, rectangular Knee-engaging members connected
together by a flexible cord. One of such plates is located on the
inside of each of the golfer's legs at the knee area. Three
Knee-encircling straps are attached to each plate to secure same to
the golfer's leg.
Inventors: |
Bifulco; John M. (Erie,
PA) |
Family
ID: |
24872477 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/715,049 |
Filed: |
August 17, 1976 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/0059 (20130101); A63B 69/0062 (20200801); A63B
2225/09 (20130101); A63B 69/3623 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/00 (20060101); A63B 69/36 (20060101); A63B
069/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/188,189,187,187R,183B ;128/134 ;119/128 ;35/29A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Marlo; George J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lovercheck; Charles L.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A golf practice device comprising,
two knee-engaging members,
each said knee-engaging members comprising two sheets of flexible
material,
a generally rectangular, relatively flat rigid plate sandwiched
between each two said sheets and having a substantial length and
width to make said knee engaging members generally rigid,
means securing said sheets together around the outside edges of
said generally rectangular member,
an eyelet fixed to each said plate and extending through one said
sheet member,
three spaced leg encircling straps attached to a sheet member
adjacent each said plate,
a buckle on an end of each said strap,
one said strap on each said sheet being attached to said sheet
adjacent each end thereof and the other said strap being attached
to said sheet between the said eyelet thereon and to another said
strap,
one said strap being adapted to encircle the said leg of the said
golfer below his said knee joint and the two other straps being
adapted to encircle the leg above the said knee joint whereby said
eyelet is supported at said knee joint and a flexible member
attached to each said eyelet for limiting the movement of said
relatively rigid plate members and the knees of said golfer away
from each other during the swing of his golf club.
Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Professionals in the game of golf have emphasized the importance of
a proper rhythm, grip, and stance during the stroke, and of great
importance, the position of the knees from the time the golfer
addresses the ball until he completes the "follow through" after
striking the ball. This coordination can best be acquired by
keeping the knees locked in position (pulled toward each other) at
the address, so that the arms, hands, body and knees, during the
entire stroke, will work together to give increased power and
accuracy to the stroke. I have devised the present device which may
be attached to the knees of the player to aid a person in keeping
his knees locked in position as he addresses the ball, just prior
to the backswing. Using the device while practicing or when playing
the game, a person will develop the habit of keeping his knees
locked at address of the ball, which will aid him in grooving his
stroke, improving his game, and imparting additional power to the
ball during the correct position of the knees throughout the golf
swing.
REFERENCE TO PRIOR ART
Various types of stance correction devices have been suggested. For
example: U.S. Pat. No. 423,094 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,677,128 show
golf stance correcting devices. However, none of these patents
propose supporting the knees of the golfer in fixed space relation
to each other.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of my invention to provide a device which is
adjustable to fit and attach just below the knees of the person
which may easily be applied, thereby keeping the knees in proper
position without hindering of the proper knee action during the
swing.
Another object of the invention is to provide in a golf training
device means for readily attaching and detaching the device at the
knees.
With the above and other objects in view, the present invention
consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter
more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and
more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being
understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportions,
and minor details of construction without departing from the spirit
or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of the golf practice device according to the
invention shown supported on the knees of a person.
FIG. 2 is a top view of the golf practice device showing the knees
of the person in phantom with the golfer in a sitting position.
FIG. 3 is a view of one of the leg holders of the device.
FIG. 4 is a view of the other leg holder of the golf practice
device.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 shows the movement of the golfers knees throughout his swing
of the club.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Now, with more particular reference to the drawings, a golf
practice device 10 is shown made up of a first knee encircling
device 11 and a second knee encircling device 12, connected
together by a flexible member 13.
Each knee encircling device is made up of a relatively rigid plate
14 sandwiched between the sheets 15 and 16. The sheets 15 and 16
may be made of leather, sheet plastic material, webbing or any
other suitable material. The sheets will be stitched, soncially
welded, or attached together by any other suitable fastening means.
Foam plastic may be attached to the leg side to add comfort. The
sheets will be stitched together along the lines 17 and 18 and
stitched along the lines shown to straps 19, 20, and 120. Straps
19, 20, and 120 will be of sufficient length to extend around the
legs of an adult individual and each strap 19, 20, and 120 has a
buckle 21, 22, and 122, secured to the end of the strap in a
conventional manner and having holes 23, 24, and 124 in the
opposite end for receiving the tongues of the buckles.
The knee encircling device 12 has an eyelet 25 extending through it
with the eye of the eyelet engaging the washer 26. The eye extends
through the rigid plate 14 and through the sheets 15 and 16 and
through the washer 27 which may be received in recess 28 holding
the two washers together and holding the eyelet 25 to the knee
encircling member. Washers 26 and 27 distribute the force exerted
by the eyelet on the leather and prevent the eyelet from deforming
the leather. The knee encircling device 11 has similar structural
details as indicated.
The flexible member 13 has an intermediate cord portion 29
connected to the end members 30 and the snap 31. This snap 31 is
received in the eyelet 25 and the end member 30 is received in
eyelet 25 on the encircling member 11. The flexible member 13 may
be slightly resilient in order to insure better comfort of the
golfer.
The golfer may disconnect the snap 31 from the eyelet 25 so that
his legs are free for walking. He may fix the leg insertion members
10 and 11 to his legs while either in a standing postion or in a
sitting position. Foam 28 may be cemented in place in the side.
The foregoing specification sets forth the invention in its
preferred, practical forms but the structure shown is capable of
modification within a range of equivalents without departing from
the invention which is to be understood is broadly novel as is
commensurate with the appended claims.
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